KCS railroad helping ECMH modernize records
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Trains haven't returned to El Campo yet, but the railroad is already making its presence felt by donating $50,000 for local hospital equipment.

The Kansas City Southern Railways donation - a pledge of $10,000 per year for the next five - will be used to purchase a Picture Archiving and Computer System for El Campo Memorial Hospital's Radiology Department.

"It eliminates the need for X-ray film," Administrator Steve Gularte said Thursday, adding the more than $325,000 system would "pay for itself in five years with the grant and not having to buy film."

The PACS will replace virtually all hard copy prints from X-rays, CT scans, Ultrasounds, MRIs and - later - mammography.

"The instruments are the same, but there is no film," Gularte said. "And it's high quality."

Eliminating the films will not only save ECMH dollars in the long run, it will also help eliminate the space needed for records storage.

"You're talking about two square feet rather than 150 to 200 square feet," he said.

The images can also be securely transmitted to doctors or other medical facilities.

The hospital received its first $10,000 payment two weeks ago and should begin installing the equipment in mid-May with hopes of being operational by mid-summer.

The patient shouldn't notice any change, Gularte said, adding this is the first step in making all hospital data electronically based.

The grant request was written by ECMH administrative fellow Kody Goerdel who is doing a one year post-graduate fellowship for his master's in hospital administration.

The KCS Charitable Fund supports charitable organizations benefiting communities and citizens in its service area.

KCS is in the process of rebuilding the Rosenberg to Victoria rail line which will pass through El Campo and Wharton County.

"As a new member of the El Campo community, KCS is pleased to make this contribution to El Campo Memorial Hospital," said Warren K. Erdman, KCS executive vice president corporate affairs. "We look forward to being a part of this community."